Masonry work on fieldstone homes Montreal

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Between tradition and modernity: masonry work on fieldstone houses

While fieldstone houses offer a rustic yet timeless charm, they can sometimes need repair to last the test of time. We’re proud to put our expertise at your service to carry out a complete range of masonry work on your fieldstone home, so that it retains its character, durability and structural integrity.

What masonry work can be carried out on a fieldstone house?

Masonry repairs performed by a contractor on a fieldstone house can vary depending on the condition of the house and the specific problems encountered. However, here are some common repairs performed on this type of home:

• Repairing / repointing mortar joints: This involves removing damaged or worn mortar joints between stones and replacing them with fresh mortar. This improves the structural integrity and watertightness of the masonry.
• Replacing damaged stones : When individual stones are broken, cracked or severely damaged, they can be removed and replaced with stones of similar size to restore the house’s original appearance.
• Consolidating and securing masonry with structural anchors: Consolidating and securing structural anchors for fieldstone houses usually involves strengthening fixings, replacing damaged or rusted anchors, and ensuring their stability to guarantee the structure’s durability and resistance to structural loads.
• Foundation repair: Repairing stone foundations may be necessary if they show signs of cracking, deterioration or instability. This may involve reinforcing existing foundations or replacing damaged sections.
• Repair of stone chimneys: Fieldstone chimneys may require repair work to repair cracks, heat damage, or to restore their structural integrity.
• Moisture treatment: Repairing water infiltration or moisture problems is essential to protect stone masonry. This can include the installation of moisture barriers, drainage or waterproofing membranes.
• Thermal insulation: The addition of thermal insulation can improve a home’s energy efficiency while preserving its stone exterior appearance.
• Frost boil repair: Frost boil repair on a fieldstone house usually involves removing the affected stones, correcting underlying structural problems, repositioning the stones, and repointing to restore the integrity and appearance of the stone wall.
• Adding intra-wall flashings: Repairing intra-wall flashings on fieldstone houses generally involves replacing or repairing damaged elements, restoring waterproofing to prevent water infiltration, and repairing masonry joints to ensure protection against moisture.
• Replacing sills, lintels and angles: Replacing sills, lintels and angles on a fieldstone house involves removing damaged elements, fabricating new custom-made elements in natural stone, then installing them to ensure the stability and structural integrity of the stone wall.

What are the main components of a fieldstone house?

• Stones: Natural stones are the main component of fieldstone masonry. They may vary in size, shape and type of stone, but they are selected for their durability and aesthetic appearance. Stones are stacked or laid side by side to form the wall.
• Mortar joints: Mortar joints are fillers used to fix stones in place. Mortar is generally composed of cement, lime and sand. It fills the spaces between the stones and ensures the wall’s stability.
• Foundations: The foundation is the base on which the stone wall rests. They are often made of concrete or stone as well, and serve to spread the wall’s load evenly over the ground to prevent subsidence.
• Lintels and sills: Stone lintels are horizontal elements that support the masonry above openings such as doors and windows. Stone thresholds are placed at the bottom of openings to ensure a smooth transition between inside and outside.
• Corner stones: Corner stones are special stones placed at the corners of the wall to provide stability and reinforce the structure. They are often larger or cut differently for a distinctive appearance.
• Water drainage: Fieldstone walls can be fitted with drainage systems or gutters to prevent water from accumulating on the masonry and thus preventing moisture damage.
• Insulation (where applicable): In some modern renovations, thermal insulation can be added to the inside or outside of the fieldstone wall to improve the home’s energy efficiency.
• Parging (where applicable): In certain situations, a finishing plaster may be applied to the exterior surface of the stone wall for aesthetic reasons or additional protection.

What are the main types of stone used for masonry work on fieldstone houses?

Fieldstone houses are built with a variety of natural stone types, each with its own aesthetic and structural characteristics. 

• Granite: Granite is a highly durable and resistant natural stone. It is often used for its ability to resist weathering, cracking and fading, making it a popular choice for fieldstone homes. 
• Schist: Schist is a sedimentary stone that splits easily into thin layers. It is often used for fieldstone walls because of its distinctive flaky texture.
• Limestone: Limestone is a soft stone that can be cut with ease. It is often used to create intricate architectural details on fieldstone homes, such as cornices and decorative elements. The limestone we use most is Saint-Marc limestone, which comes from a limestone quarry of the same name, located in the Quebec City region
• Sandstone: Sandstone is a hard, durable stone commonly used in the construction of fieldstone walls. 
• Gneiss: Gneiss is a metamorphic stone with a granular texture. It is prized for its strength and durability, as well as for its variations in color and pattern. 
• Slate schist: This type of schist is often used for its ability to divide into thin, flat layers. It is commonly used to create slate roofs in regions where this roofing technique is traditional.
• Marble: Although less common than other types of stone, marble is sometimes used for specific decorative or architectural elements in fieldstone homes because of its beauty and elegance.

Why choose Restaure-Action for masonry work on fieldstone homes?

Our team of qualified professionals is dedicated to specialized masonry work and has more than 60 years’ combined experience. We have all the qualifications and skills needed to carry out masonry work on fieldstone houses. We can carry out these repairs in both the residential sector (houses, apartment buildings, townhouses, duplexes and triplexes) and the commercial sector (commercial space, warehouses, historic buildings, etc.). 

**Please note that we do not specialize in the restoration of heritage / patrimonial buildings. However, if your home is considered heritage, it’s important to let us know. As far as possible, we’ll try to use materials that will preserve the building’s character**.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about masonry work on fieldstone homes, our other masonry services or to request a free estimate, we invite you to contact us. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible. We travel to many parts of Montreal to offer our residential and commercial masonry services.